HCPAN to FG, States: Expand health insurance, review providers’ tarriffs

… Says 70% of healthcare spending comes from patients’ pockets
… Only 10–13% of Nigerians covered by insurance
… Seeks flexible premiums, prompt claims settlement
By Chioma Obinna
The HealthCare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN), Lagos Branch, has called on the Federal and state governments to expand health insurance coverage, review tariffs paid to healthcare providers and ensure prompt settlement of claims, warning that low insurance penetration continues to expose millions of Nigerians to crippling medical expenses.
The association said only about 10 to 13 per cent of Nigerians were covered by health insurance, while out-of-pocket payments accounted for approximately 7...